Bringing superior varieties of fruit trees out of the forest and onto farmland is paying off for farmers in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

China.org reports on how the World Agroforestry Centre is working with farmers to help them grow indigenous trees; increasing their incomes and improving biodiversity. The Centre involves local farmers in selecting, propagating and planting new varieties as well as providing training in their ongoing management.

Such fruit trees were once a vital source of vitamins to hunter and gatherer communities and still provide important nutrition to nomad communities. But they have not always had the same value to farmers.

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Malawi has found that edible fruits of indigenous wild trees are rich in protein, carbohydrates and fats. Some also contain high levels of Vitamin C or calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and sodium; all necessary in human diets.

The project aims to unleash the potential of just some of the many indigenous fruits for income generation and poverty alleviation, while ensuring genetic diversity is not lost.

Read the full story: Wild fruits seen as hidden treasures for Kenyan farmers